Malaysia makes a shocking decision for the AFF Cup, giving Vietnam a huge advantage to win the title

Malaysian media has revealed a notable personnel plan for the AFF Cup 2026. The decision by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) not only surprises the region but could also grant a significant benefit to the Vietnam national team.

According to Harian Metro, the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) has decided to appoint coach Nafuzi Zain to lead the national team in the AFF Cup 2026, now called the Hyundai Cup. Notably, the tactician currently in charge of Malaysia's U23 and U19 teams is likely to use young players as the core instead of calling up the strongest squad as usual.

FAM Secretary-General Datuk Noor Azman Rahman confirmed that the upcoming tournament next month will be seen as an opportunity to develop young players. He stated that Malaysia is still considering whether to field a full U23 team or a squad mixed with some experienced players. This detail is particularly emphasized by Malaysian media, as the decision could greatly influence the dynamics of the AFF Cup 2026 championship race.

Speaking to the press, Noor Azman Rahman clarified: "For the Hyundai Cup (formerly AFF Cup) next month, the team will be led by Nafuzi Zain. Whether to use a full U23 squad or a combined team will be discussed with him after he returns from his duties with the Malaysia U19 team in Medan, Indonesia. We want to hear his views and plans first, because afterward the team still has several important matches, including friendlies against Laos and the Philippines."

According to Harian Metro, giving the opportunity to Nafuzi Zain aligns with FAM's long-term plan of rejuvenating the squad. This coach is currently leading Malaysia's U19 team at the ASEAN U19 Championship in Indonesia and is expected to generate quality personnel for the national team in the future. This indicates that the AFF Cup 2026 is considered a testing ground rather than the primary objective of Malaysian football.

Meanwhile, FAM confirmed that the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026, taking place from September 21 to October 6, will be directly handled by national team head coach Peter Cklamovski. This is a new tournament jointly organized by FIFA and the ASEAN Football Federation, featuring 11 teams in the region. Malaysia's prioritization of the FIFA ASEAN Cup further strengthens the likelihood that they will not field their strongest squad at the AFF Cup.

From the perspective of Vietnamese football, this is clearly noteworthy information. Malaysia is considered one of the contenders for the championship and a threat to Vietnam's ambition to defend its title at the AFF Cup 2026. If the "Malayan Tigers" use an U23 squad or a mixed lineup with many young players, their strength will be difficult to maintain at its highest level.

This is even more significant given that Malaysia just suffered a 1-3 defeat to Vietnam in the Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers, despite fielding a very strong lineup. Therefore, if this team continues to give opportunities to young players at the AFF Cup 2026, their ability to compete for the championship is predicted to face more challenges.

On the other hand, Vietnam is expected to enter the AFF Cup 2026 with a near-optimal squad. Coach Kim Sang-sik is said to gather the national team from early July and have two weeks of training in South Korea to prepare for the title defense. In the context that a heavyweight contender like Malaysia is proactively giving opportunities to young players, the chance for Vietnam to continue dominating Southeast Asia is therefore rated significantly higher.